Program clock



Sept. 19, 1939. A 1 ROGER 2 173373 PROGRAM CLOCK Original Filed April 6, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet l n 7 N "3 g wt INVENOR. L AAf/ J @0 5,-

ATTORNEY.

Sept. 19, 1939. A ROGER 2,173,373

PROGRAM CLOCK Original Filed April 6, 1936 s Sheets-Sheet 2 I %/Z6 1 /F 7 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

p 19, 1939- .1. ROGER 2,173,373

PROGRAM CLOCK Original Filed April 6, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIE Q Patented Sept. 19, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application April 6, 1936, Serial No. 73,032 Renewed January 19, 1938 14 Claims.

This invention relates to an electric program clock by means of which translating devices such as lights, alarms, switches or motors may be successively and periodically operated throughout any predetermined cycle of operation.

One of the objects of my invention is the provision of an electric circuit which may be set to successively operate various translating devices at any minute of any predetermined hour during a day or any other predetermined interval of time.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a program clock in which the above mentioned circuit may be utilized.

Still another object of my invention is the provision of a switch by means of which the duration of an electric current may be controlled.

The invention possesses other advantageous features, some of which with the foregoing will be set forth at length in the following description where that form of the invention which has been selected for illustration in the drawings accompanying and forming a part of the present specification is outlined in full. In said drawings, one form of the invention is shown, but it is to be understood that it is not limited to such form, since the invention as set forth in the claims may be embodied in a plurality of forms.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation partly in section of a program clock embodying the objects of my invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical section taken on the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical section taken on the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a partial horizontal section taken through the axis of my program clock as indicated by the section line 44 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a vertical section taken on the section line 55 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a vertical section taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 4.

Figure '7 is an isometric view of a connector clip.

The electrical circuit which I utilize in carrying out the objects of my invention may comprise a translating device such as an alarm, light, or motor connected in series with a duration switch and what may be termed an hour brush or contact member arranged to contact periodically and successively with each of twelve hour terminals or contact points. Each of the hour contact points is in turn connected with a corresponding minute brush or contact member and each of these brushes or members is arranged to contact periodically and successively with each of sixty minute terminals or contact points. Selectively, each of these latter terminals or contact points may be connected by means of a clip or connector with a common conductor in series with a battery, secondary of a transformer or other source of power which in turn completes the circuit with the particular translating device or devices in use. Twelve hour contact points, one for each hour of the day or night, and sixty minute contact points, one for each minute of the hour, have been referred to for purposes of illustration, but obviously any other number of time intervals may be used as well as any other units of time. Therefore as herein used, the term hour may be taken to designate any desired unit of time and the term minute any fraction or subdivision thereof.

As shown in Figure 1, the circuit above described may be embodied in a program clock in which an induction motor I drives a centrally located pinion 2 at the rate of one revolution per minute. The pinion 2 meshes with a gear 3 which in turn meshes with a pinion 4 carried on a shaft 5, and secured to the shaft 5 is a cylindrical roll 6 made of any suitable insulating material and having on its peripheral surface a tapered recess l. Loosely mounted on a shaft 8 adjacent to and parallel with the roll 6 is a switch block 9 to the upper face of which is secured a pair of spaced spring leaves II and [2. The free end of the leaf l2 terminates in a foot l3 adapted to ride on the surface of the roll 6 and once during each revolution (which occurs once each minute) enters the tapered recess 1, thereby causing the leaf E2 to contact with the leaf II for an interval of time depending upon the position of the foot it with respect to the ends of the roll. The switch block 9 together with the leaves I l and !2 may be moved laterally along the shaft 8 by means of a screw [4 thereby determining the width of the recess 1 through which the foot l3 passes and consequently the duration of contact of the leaves II and [2. A switch as so constructed may therefore be designated as a duration switch.

Coupled to the pinion 2 by means of a fricton clutch is a shaft [5 extending through the face 15 of the clock and carrying at its forward end a second hand (not shown).

Secured to the shaft ll of the gear 3 is a pinion i8 in mesh with a gear 19 carried by a sleeve 2!. The sleeve 2| is journaled in a bushing 22 and is provided at its outer end with square faces 23, by means of which it may be coupled to one lite rings.

end of a hollow shaft 20. A bushing 25 embedded in a Bakelite end plate 26 serves as a bearing for the shaft 20. Loosely and rotatably disposed over the end of bushing 25 is a ratchet wheel iii to which is secured an hour contact brush or member 23, one end of which is,always in contact with a ring 29 embedded in the end plate 25, while its other end periodically and successively engages each of 12 hour terminals or contact points 30, 3!, 32, 33, 3d, 35, 3%, 3i, 38, cc and ll.

The ratchet wheel 27 is driven by what may be termed an escapement mechanism comprising an arm 02 (see Figure 2), the lower end of which is pivoted to any convenient part of the framework of the mechanism while its opposite upper end is urged inwardly by means of a spring 43. Pivoted intermediate the ends of the arm 52 is a pawl id adapted to engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel ill. Secured to and driven by the shaft 20 is a cam 05, the peripheral surface of which is adapted to operate against a finger d241, formed intermediate the ends of the pivoted arm d2. Since the shaft 20 makes one complete revolution during each hour, the cam 05 will also make a complete revolution during the same interval of time and by properly designing the shape of the cam, the pawl 40 may be made to advance the ratchet wheel 27 one tooth per hour 'so that the hour contact brush or member 23 always establishes communication between the ring 20 and one of the hour terminals or contact points 30 to ll.

Secured between the end plate 26 and end plate M is a series or stack of twelve Bakelite rings, 52, 53, 54, 55, 50, 51, 58, 59, 60, SI, 62, and '03, which together form a hollow cylinder.

Brass rings ti l, 65, 66,61 68,69, 10, ll, 12, I3,

M, and T5 are respectively molded into the surfaces of the Bakelite rings 52 to 63. Each of these brass rings is provided with an inwardly extending flange, the exposed surface of which is formed flush with the exposed inner surface of the Bake- Molded within the surface of each of the Bakelite rings 52 to 63 are metallic rings IE to 81. Preferably, these latter metal rings extend beyond the cylindrical surface formed by the stack of the Bakelite rings. Inserted in each .of the Bakelite rings 52 to 63 are sixty radially extending, equally spaced metallic pins 89, one for each minute of the hour. It will therefore be seen that in all there are 720 of these pins, one for each minute of a twelve hour day. The inner exposed ends of these pins should be flush with the exposed surfaces of the flanges M to I5, while the outer ends should lie in a common cylindrical surface defined by the peripheral edges of the metallic rings lit to 8'5.

As best shown in Figure 4, each of the metallic rings to We communicates respectively with one of the hour terminal or contact points 30 to ll by means of wire leads 9i and 92 and binding posts $23 and 90. In Figure 4, the hour contact terminal or point 3 3 has been shown as connected with the metal ring 65.

Rotatably disposed within the hollow cylinder formed by the Bakelite rings 52 to 63 is a rectangular brush block IOI (see Figures 4 and 6). One end of this block is secured to the shaft 20 and the other end to a hollow shaft I02 which extends through the plate ill to the gear train which operates the hands of the clock. The block till is bored through its entire length in order to permit the passage therethrough of the shaft I5, one end of which as above stated is coupled to the pinion 2, while the other end drives the second hand of the clock. Formed along each side of the block IN is a series of twelve openings or recesses I03, and extending into these recesses through bores formed in the edges of the block are radially movable contact pins or brushes On one side of the block IOI these pins are arranged to register and contact with the exposed ends of the minute pins 89 while on the opposite side of the block they are arranged to register and contact with the exposed flanges of the metal rings 60 to IE. Communication between the diametrically opposed brushes or pins 804 is obtained by means of spaced metal bridges I05, the free ends of which extend into the recesses I03 and resiliently engage the inner exposed ends of the pins I00. It will therefore be seen that the bridges I05 together with their associated pins Iil i successively establish communication between each of the sixty minute pins 89 carried by each of the Bakelite rings 52 to 63 and each of the corresponding metal rings 64 to 15.

Instead of having the bridges I05 extend diametrically across the exterior of the hollow cylinder formed by the Bakelite rings 52 to 63 in order to establish contact between the metal rings E34 to 1'5 and their associated minute pins 89, the same result could be obtained by a brush, one part of which is always in communication with the metal rings while an adjacent portion successively engages the minute pins 89 during their continued rotation within the cylinder. However, it has been found that from a mechanical standpoint it is better to balance the frictional resistance between these members by forming the desired contact at opposite sides of the cylinder, as shown in Figure 4.

As shown in Figures 2 and 5 each of the outer metallic rings I8 to 87 is connected to a common terminal I09 by means of a wire III. Communication between any one of the 720 minute pins 8t and the terminal I09 may therefore be made by means of the connector or clip II2 shown in Figure 7. This clip consists of a metal grip provided at one end with a slot I I3 and with a split bore H0, spaced at a distance from the slot H3 equivalent to the distance between any one of the rings It to 8'1 and any adjacent pin 89.

In order to avoid arcing between the pins I04 and the pins 89 at the time that contact is broken between these members during the continued rotation of the block IOI, it is advisable to design the recess 7 formed on the surface of the cylindrical roll 6 in such a manner that the electric circuit formed by the mechanism above described is first broken by the spring leaves II and I2. This is for the reason that arcing between pins I04 and 89 would injure the Bakelite rings 52 to 63.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the ring 29 is connected with a binding post H6 which in turn communicates through a wire I I! with a binding post IE8. Communication is established between the binding post II8 and the spring leaf II of the duration switch by means of a wire lead I2I. Connected to the fixed end of the spring leaf I2 is a wire lead I22 in series with the secondary of a transformer, storage battery, or any other source of power.

The electric circuit of the program clock above described may be traced as follows: The current from the transformer passes through the lead I22 to the spring leaf I2. During a portion of the rotation of the cylindrical roll '6 the foot I3 of the leaf I2 is accommodated within the recess 1, and during this interval of time the current passes from the leaf I2 through the leaf II and hence through the lead I2 I binding post I I8, wire 1, binding post II6, ring 29, and then to the hour contact brush or member 28. The escapement mechanism above described causes the member 28 to successively engage at intervals of an hour, each of the contact points 30 to 4|. The current therefore passes through the member 28 successively to each of the contact points 30' to 4|. From each of these contact points, the current passes through binding posts 94, leads 92, binding posts 93, and leads 9|, successively to each of the rings 64 to I5. From the rings 64 to 15, the current passes through pins I04 and bridges I 05 successively to each of the minute pins 89, Communication may be selectively established between any one of the 720 minute pins 89 and the outer rings I6 to 87 by means of the connectors or clips II2. As above described, the rings I6 to 81 are all inter-connected by means of the wire III and therefore the current passes from these rings through the wire I I I to the common terminal I09 and from there through the alarm, buzzer, or other translating device to the secondary of the transformer or other source of power.

The 720 minute pins 89 make it possible to independently operate the same number of translating devices or to operate one translating device 720 times during a twelve-hour day. In some instances it may be desired to pass the current from only one or more of the minute pins 89 through an automatic switch, and in such case a direct connection may be made between the desired minute pin and the automatic switch without the use of the connectors or clips I I2. Again, in other instances it may be desired to include an automatic switch in the main circuit in order to make the entire circuit operative or inoperative during predetermined intervals. For example, when a program clock as above described is used for ringing alarms in a school, it is desirable that the device be inoperative on Saturdays and Sundays. This can be done by including in the main circuit a clock driven switch which opens the circuit on Saturdays and Sundays, or by using the program clock itself as such a switch. By the same type of switch a twelve-hour program clock as above described may be made to function through a twenty-four hour period.

The clock as above described may be set by means of a knurled adjusting nut I25 carried by a shaft I26, to the end of which is secured a pinion I21 in gear with the gear train operated by means of the motor I.

Although for purposes of illustration a twelve hour clock capable of operating a translating device any minute of the twelve hours has been shown and described, my device may be made to operate on any other desired number and units of time intervals.

I claim:

1. An electric circuit comprising: a movable hour contact member arranged to contact successively with a plurality of spaced hour contact points; movable minute contact members in circuit with said spaced hour contact points and arranged to contact successively with a plurality of minute terminals; and a duration switch in series with said hour contact member.

2. A selective program device comprising: a hollow cylinder formed by a stack of insulating rings; a metal ring embedded in each of said insulating rings with its inner peripheral edge flush with the inner surface of said cylinder; a plurality of metal pins extending radially through each of said insulating rings with their inner ends also flush with said inner surface of said cylinder; and means within said cylinder for successively establishing communication between each of the pins of each insulating ring and its associated metal ring.

3. A selective program device comprising: a hollow cylinder formed by a stack of insulating rings; a metal ring embedded in each of said insulating rings with its inner peripheral edge flush with the inner surface of said cylinder; a plurality of metal pins extending radially through each of said insulating rings with their inner ends also flush with said inner surface of said cylinder; means within said cylinder for successively establishing communication between each of the pins of each insulating ring and its associated metal ring; and a conductor arranged to success-- sively communicate with each of said metal rings.

4. A selective program device comprising: a hollow cylinder formed by a stack of insulating rings; a metal ring embedded in each of said insulating rings with its inner peripheral edge flush with the inner surface of said cylinder; a plurality of metal pins extending radially through each of said insulating rings with their inner ends also flush with said inner surface of said cylinder; means within said cylinder for successively establishing communication between each of the pins of each insulating ring and its associated metal ring; a conductor arranged to successively communicate with each of said metal rings; and a duration switch in series with said conductor.

5. A selective program device comprising: a hollow cylinder formed by a stack of insulating rings; a metal ring embedded in each of said insulating rings with its inner peripheral edge flush with the inner surface of said cylinder; a plurality of metal pins extending radially through each of said insulating rings with their inner ends also flush with said inner surface of said cylinder; means within said cylinder for successively establishing communication between each of the pins of each insulating ring and its associated metal ring; and rotating brushes arranged within said cylinder for successively establishing communication between each of the pins of each insulating ring and its associated metal ring.

6. A selective program device comprising: a hollow cylinder formed by a stack of insulating rings; a metal ring embedded in each of said insulating rings with its inner peripheral edge flush with the inner surface of said cylinder; a plurality of metal pins extending radially through each of said insulating rings with their inner ends also flush with said inner surface of said cylinder; means within said cylinder for successively establishing communication between each of the pins of each insulating ring and its associated metal ring; a conductor arranged to successively communicate with each of said metal rings; and a ratchet and pawl operated brush for successively establishing communication between said conductors and each of said metal rings.

7. A selective program device comprising: a hollow cylinder formed by a stack of insulating rings; a metal ring embedded in each of said insulating rings with its inner peripheral edge flush With the inner surface of said cylinder; a plurality of metal pins extending radially through each of said insulating rings with their inner ends also flush with said inner surface of said cylinder; means within said cylinder for successively es tablishing communication between each of the pins of each insulating ring andits associated. metal ring; a terminal connected with each of said rings, said terminals being disposed in a common plane and in spaced relation about a .circle; a contact ring disposed in said common plane; a conductor in communication with said contact ring; and a pawl and ratchet driven brush for successively establishing communication between said terminals and said contact ring.

8. A selective program device comprising: a hollow cylinder formed of insulating material; spaced metal rings embedded in said cylinder with their inner peripheral edges flush with the inner surface thereof; a set of radially disposed metal pins embedded in said cylinder adjacent each of said metal rings with their inner ends also flush with the inner surface of said cylinder; and means within the cylinder for successively establishing communication between each pin of each set of pins and its adjacent metal ring.

9. An electric time switch or program clock comprising: a movable hour contact member arranged to contact successively with a plurality of spaced hour contact points; and a plurality of movable minute contact members each in circuit with individual ones of said spaced hour contact points and arranged to contact successively with a plurality of minute terminals.

10. An electric time switch or program clock comprising: an escapem'ent driven hour contact member arranged to contact successively with a plurality of spaced hour contact points; and a plurality of motor driven minute contact members each in circuit with individual ones of said hour contact points and arranged to contact successively with a plurality of minute terminals.

11. An electric time switch or program clock comprising: a plurality of hour contact points; a number of series of minute contact points, one series being associated with each of said hour contact points; and means for successively establishing communication between each of said hour contact points and each of the minute contact points of its associated series of minute contact points.

12. An electric time switch or program clock comprising: a plurality of hour contact points; a movable hour contact member arranged to contact successively with each of said hour contact points; a number of series of minute contact points, one series being associated with each of said contact points; and means for successively establishing communication between each of said hour contact points and each of the minute contact points of its associated series of minute contact points.

13. An electric time switch or program clock comprising: a plurality of hour contact points; a number of series of minute contact points, one series being associated with each of said hour contact points; and means for successively es tablishing communication between each of said hour contact points and each of the minute contact points of its associated series of minute contact points, said means including movable minute contact members each arranged to successively engage each of the contact points of its associated series.

1a. In a time switch or program clock for use in connection with a periodically operating translating device; a movable hour contact member arranged to contact successively with a plurality of spaced hour contact points; and a plurality of movable minute contact members each in circuit with individual ones of said spaced hour contact points and arranged to contact successively with a plurality of minute terminals.

ALBERT J. ROGER. 

